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Typo: A Monthly Newspaper and Literary Review, Volume 2

Filthy Lucre

page 4

Filthy Lucre.

Statute law very properly prohibits the publication of certain classes of advertisements. Such, for instance, as offer to compound a felony, such as relate to dishonest transactions like « sweeps » and lotteries, and such as are manifestly libellous or indecent, subject the publisher to serious penalties. But for the restraining influence of the law such announcements would doubtless find all the publicity the advertiser might require. But there are advertisements so framed as to come as close to the forbidden class as possible—more foul in their intention and oftentimes more evil in their results, than the outspoken kind which would be made the subject of a police prosecution. In England, the great dailies exercise a salutary censorship over the advertising columns, and advertisements such as freely appear in New York and San Francisco never —except in rare cases of accidental oversight—find their way into the columns of a London paper. We wish we could say as much for the press of New Zealand. « My poverty but not my will consents, » was the hypocritical excuse of Shakspeare’s apothecary. Are the newspapers of this colony so poor that they are obliged to minister to the harpies who fatten on human vice and weakness, and to share in their polluted gains? It is 'with a feeling of humiliation that we have to say that there is scarce a paper in New Zealand, daily or weekly, that is not defiled by advertisements of a disgraceful character. Of late years the vileness in question has overflowed from the regular advertisement columns, and is mixed up with the ordinary news paragraphs. An abominable American mixture is freely advertised in this fashion in nearly every paper in the colony, to the unmeasured annoyance of the readers. One of its paragraphs is a double entente of the broadest and most disgusting kind. As regards the advertising quacks who claim to have made a special study of certain diseases, their methods have been exposed times without number; yet they still grow fat on the ignorance and credulity of their dupes. Once within their toils, the victim has no escape. He is charged fabulous prices for « advice » and worthless mixtures, and in addition is mercilessly blackmailed under threat of exposure of matters on which he has written in confidence. Many a man has been driven to suicide by these pests of society. Every journalist is aware of these facts. Without the assistance of the press, this traffic could not exist, and every journal that pockets a share of the foul gains thence derived is morally a partner in the infernal business, and responsible for its iniquities. During the past month, we have noticed in one of our exchanges a particularly obnoxious advertisement of a certain work, professedly by a medical man, the table of contents of which is set forth in full. This advertisement, we think, comes well within the limits defining indecent publications, and such is apparently the opinion of the press generally, for as yet we have seen it in only one paper. It would be but one step further to publish day after day the edifying engravings with which such books are illustrated. As a rule large advertisers fix their own terms, which it lies with the newspapers to accept or reject. The dirty business pays well, and the prices offered are proportionately high as the advertisements are objectionable. There is therefore a considerable temptation to weak and impecunious papers to; give them insertion. But the same advertisements are widely circulated by well established journals which have no such excuse. Sooner or later the law will have to take the matter in hand. It would be infinitely better for the press itself to put its foot upon the evil and crush it out of existence. It owes this duty to society.

We have to thank Mr Theo. L. DeVinne for a copy of his beautiful and valuable little quarto volume, Historic Printing Types. We prize the work the more highly, inasmuch as, being printed for private circulation, it is not obtainable through the ordinary channels. There is no greater authority on the subject than Mr DeVinne, and there is no writer who possesses in a greater degree the faculty of orderly arrangement and lucid expression.

In reference to our suggestion as to distinguishing sorts by a systematic nick, it is worth while to note that this has been done to a greater extent than we suggested, to meet the requirements of certain type-composing machines. The makers of one American machine undertake to nick according to their system any founts sent to them for that purpose—every separate character in the fount having its own nick. The Paper World for November, in an article describing the McMillan distributing machine, says: « A nicking machine is also devised for preparing ordinary foundry type for the distributors, and it has a capacity of about one thousand ordinary letters at a single cut, and is capable of an adjustment of one-thousandth of an inch. » Messrs Caslon, in the courteous letter they addressed to us on the subject, fully recognized the value of our suggestion, « if it were practicable; » but said that by any process at present in use, it would make the cost of type prohibitive. It is clear, however, that the practical difficulties have been overcome; and knowing how ready the Caslon Foundry is to adopt all valuable improvements, Typo fully expects, in a year or two, to have some of the Chiswell-street types nicked on the systematic principle.

Infant states, like infants generally, have to pass through the ordeal of more or less unpleasant ailments. One of the most troublesome of these is « protection » —a kind of political measles. Fortunately, in the case of each of these developmental diseases, a second attack is very rare; but on the other hand, there is a great danger of « dregs » remaining, indicating that permanent constitutional mischief has ensued. In some respects our own colony has progressed as far as the United States, and in each case there is every indication that the crisis of the infantile disorder is past, and that a return to political health and strength may be expected. One of the most hopeful signs of the late general election was the revolt against the protective tariff which is crushing our trade; and in America the « Republican » or protection party is doomed. When Jonathan takes a political reform in hand he does his work thoroughly; and in a very few years we may expect to see absolute free trade throughout the Union—giving an incalculable impetus to the world's commerce, and to that of the United States in particular.

The English associated foundries have made a reduction in the prices of ornamental types, varying from 1/6 per lb in pearl to 6d in pica. American competition appears to be the cause. Leads and quotations are also reduced 1d per lb.

Some « old New Zealand residents » have held a meeting in Sydney, and have decided to write to the Colonial Treasurer, urging him to make certain alterations in the colonial taxation, more especially in the direction of increased protection. Their request does credit to their modesty. While they were about it, they should have asked to be allowed to vote (by wire) at the next general election.

« The hundred best books » and « Books that have influenced Me, » in the English periodicals, have become a perfect nuisance. In a late Pall Mall Gazette, Mrs H. R. Haweis, wife of a well-known clergyman, recommends « the best books » for children—many of them being apparently unknown works which are sadly in need of such an advertisement. Modern serial literature she does not admire; but recommends The Mirror, a magazine that delighted the children of sixty years ago. Of English authors, Chaucer is her prime favorite. One undoubtedly good book—the Bible—is not good enough for this good lady. For children up to fifteen years of age it must be « expurgated.!)—A Bowdlerized Bible! What next?